Hikaru no Go: I taught you Go, and you made the Kisei cry?

As a representative of the younger generation, Ogata Seiji thought about his upcoming journey through the Honinbo preliminary rounds.

Next year, he will challenge for the Honinbo title. As he moves forward, there are people chasing behind him, which makes him feel a sense of urgency.

Teacher Bencun was also intently watching the chessboard where no pieces had yet been placed, his expression complex.

"He'll still be playing in the third place..."

"This child, perhaps, I have greatly underestimated him."

"He has an amazing imagination and creativity."

The onlookers, including the defeated Ashihara, stood together, watching the match.

Long Chuan and the photographer also arrived. The photographer snapped some photos of Su Ran.

"This boy actually defeated Ashihara 2-dan in the first round. It's unbelievable. I originally thought Ashihara 2-dan was a strong seeded player."

"I have a good report to write, President Longchuan," the photographer said with a smile.

“No… Kyōyōma’s strength as a first-dan is not to be underestimated. I’m worried that this child won’t be able to get past Kyōyōma.”

Longchuan was a bit disappointed. What was originally a good match was ruined when this international student named Su Ran ran into the formidable Kyōyōma 1-dan in the second round.

"Hey, you're right."

The photographer took a few more photos of Kyōyūma.

Su Ran finally picked up a chess piece and gently placed it down.

Hey.

First-hand information.

No Five Elements listed!

This is a new attempt by Su Ran, and it's also a new attempt he wants to bring to the chess world!

"No Five Elements?"

The photographer was clearly knowledgeable about Go; he even stopped his hand, which was about to press the shutter, and stared blankly at the Go board.

Long Chuan's mouth dropped open: "The Five Elements Without Rank... My God..."

Shocked, Longchuan quickly recovered and shouted to the photographer, "What are you standing there for? Take pictures! Even if this student loses, we'll still have an article to report!"

"Yes, President Longchuan!"

The photographer immediately realized how much of a topic Su Ran's move would generate, so he picked up his DSLR and started snapping away at the chessboard.

Ogata Seiji pushed up his glasses, which were about to slip off his nose, and sweat beaded on his forehead: "Five out of five... What is he thinking?"

This move is even rarer than a move to the center point, or even a move with nineteen columns and nineteen rows!

In professional matches, Ogata is certain that no one has ever dared to make this move before!

In the battle of the young lions, Su Ran took the lead by executing a move that involved five rows of five elements!

……

The fiercest battle! One wrong move, and the whole game is lost!

Even Kyōyōma was stunned by this move.

"Five columns and five rows?"

A move that has never appeared in the current Go world before looks like something only someone who has never played Go would make.

A single move to the center of the circle may be rare, but it is occasionally attempted by amateur experts.

There is no arrangement of the Five Elements, yet no one has ever tried it.

In this chessboard with nineteen columns and nineteen rows, the most common move is to move to the small eye or star point as the first move.

Their purpose was clear: to seize land and compete for territory.

Like tigers entrenched in an unfamiliar forest, they are newcomers who only seek a safe haven for the time being.

As for fighting and biting for prey, that's a matter for later.

Even the notoriously wicked San San, its purpose is nothing more than to claim territory. It's just that compared to the star position or the small eye, San San focuses too much on the land and ignores the external forces.

However, the previous game has already given people a completely new perspective on the 3-3 move!

And this move of five columns and five lines...

This is even more incomprehensible than San San's move. At least, everyone can understand San San's move.

"The first move, a skilled player would usually make, is on the third or fourth rank."

An amateur expert was whispering to the person next to him.

"What? Are you saying Su Ran can't play chess?"

Afu interrupted in a low voice, sounding somewhat annoyed.

"Oh no, I watched that game of chess just now, that's why I stayed here. I just want to know, what exactly is this boy trying to do?"

Ogata Seiji remained silent, knowing that the amateur expert's words were not without merit.

"He's right. Indeed, anyone who has learned Go will place their first stone in the third or fourth column. The third column is the enclosing line, and the fourth column is the attack line."

"If the first piece lands in the fifth column, neither attack nor claim territory."

"In other words, it's inefficient..."

Ogata Seiji suddenly realized Su Ran's intention: "Could it be that he wants to move the pieces closer to the center and start a chaotic battle in the middle?"

"This is the only explanation. He didn't want to play the game step by step. He does indeed possess the ability to innovate and has a boundless imagination."

"Indeed, his fighting ability and his ability to find opportunities in chaotic battles are extremely formidable."

"That's really bold of them to make such a move in the cub battle."

"In fact, this move can be seen as a provocation."

"Or perhaps, provocation itself is one of his tactical methods?"

Ogata Seiji subtly smiled and glanced at Kyōyūma, who was still in a daze.

"So, how will he deal with this provocative tactic?"

"Would it be unwise to engage in battle?"

"Or perhaps, we should avoid their sharp edge and instead target familiar smaller points or star positions?"

"How interesting..."

"This game of chess is so interesting."

After a long while, Kyōyūma seemed to finally come to his senses.

He gave Su Hou a deep look, his expression somewhat grim, and then slowly reached into the chess box and picked up a white piece.

Then, the chess piece was placed!

He slammed the chess piece down, trying to put some pressure on Su Ran!

Snapped!

Three columns and three rows, three times three!

The crisp sound of the chess piece landing on the board jolted everyone awake!

"This……"

"Wh...what?"

Someone swallowed hard, wondering if they were seeing things, then bent down and looked at the chessboard.

Yes, you read that right, three columns and three rows!

"He got three!"

"What's going on? They're playing this game way too recklessly!"

The village teacher remained silent, secretly shaking his head.

"No... this move is a good move."

“Unlike the previous 3-3 point, Go is dynamic. No, Su Ran’s previous 3-3 point wasn’t actually bad. Perhaps, this child has a unique understanding of this 3-3 point move.”

"However, in this situation, the point at 3-3 is spot on! It's the weakest point in the five-row, five-space move!"

"Kyoto Shinichi, a first-dan player, was not blinded by his own brilliance. It was the first time he had seen such an unreasonable move as Five Ranks and Five Elements, and he keenly and accurately found the weakness."

"That's right... Since the other side didn't claim any territory, but instead made a move that was intended to incite a chaotic battle, he took the lead in claiming territory and went deep inside!"

"He wanted to insert a bone spur deep into Kuroko's flesh, like a fishbone stuck in his throat, in the fifth of the fifth!"

In just two moves, the two sides began to scheme against each other and were on the verge of exchanging blows!

Su Ran quickly picked up the chess piece again and placed it down.

Sixteen columns and sixteen rows, stars.

Jingyouzhen wasn't in a hurry to reinforce the 3-3 point; he couldn't let Su Ran occupy another star position. He picked up a piece and placed it!

Seventeen columns, four rows, small eyes.

Su Ran followed closely behind, placing a black piece.

Eighteen columns and five rows, sharp!

The two sides were locked in a fierce confrontation, neither willing to back down.

……

As the pieces were placed one after another, the players fell silent, each assuming the roles of black and white.

"Black used a 'ban' move in this move. If it were me, I would definitely jump. Compared to my move, Su Ranjun's move is much more aggressive."

"So there's a skilled fighter like Dafei? I never imagined..."

Everyone had their own thoughts, but they could all sense the intense tension on the chessboard.

These moves were all unexpected yet reasonable, each move was exhilarating, but the clash was only superficial.